Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of treatments for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Treatment cost and high prevalence of Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a very challenging issue globally. Due to this reason; current study was conducted to determine pharmaco-economy of conventional and non-conventional treatments for the management of PCOS. METHODS: Prospective Cross-Sectional study was conducted in the metropolitan city of Karachi from January - December 2019. Primary data of 200 PCOS patients were collected from different hospitals and clinics. An instrument was used to collect data pertaining to the direct and indirect cost associated with the disease management. Collected data was analyzed by the tools for cost analysis and software called Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) - 22. RESULTS: In Cost Minimization Analysis (CMA); Allopathic treatment [Mean cost/month PKR4479.32 ± 350.95 (USD27.46 ± 2.15)], Herbal treatment [Mean cost/month PKR1527.78 ± 78.15 (USD9.37 ± 0.48)], Combination treatment [Mean cost/month PKR2803.09 ± 654.22 (USD17.18 ± 4.01)], and Homoeopathic treatment [Mean cost/month PKR976.95 ± 46.19 (USD5.99 ± 0.28)]. Incremental cost/month for Allopathic treatment is 358%, Herbal treatment is 56%, Combination treatment is 187%. In Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA); Allopathic treatment (Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio/month 1334.24), Herbal treatment (Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio/month 936.41), Combination treatment (Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio/month 1017.09). Due to lowest cost of Homeopathic treatment, cost of Homeopathic treatment was considered as a threshold value. In-direct cost/month of Allopathic treatment is PKR593.33 ± 24.00 (USD3.64 ± 0.15), Herbal treatment is PKR307.84 ± 26.69 (USD1.89 ± 0.16), Combination treatment is PKR409.09 ± 45.63 (USD2.51 ± 0.28) and Homoeopathic treatment is PKR300.00 ± 26.39 (USD1.84 ± 0.16). CONCLUSION: The most cost-effective is treatment is Homeopathic; Herbal treatment is second most cost-effective option for the treatment of PCOS. Lowest direct and indirect costs and short treatment duration collaboratively lessen the %incremental cost per year and incremental cost effectiveness ratio per year.